Chris Reeve Knives is well known within the knife community for designing and manufacturing some of the highest quality production knives on the market. Their Sebenza model has been the benchmark of quality modern folding knife manufacturing for years. They’ve introduced several major innovations to the modern pocket knife world: s35vn steel, the ceramic ball bearing lock interface, and even the frame lock itself. However, they come at a price point higher than my normal fare.
I recently was able to get a Chris Reeve Knives Inkosi at a very fair price from a fellow knife enthusiast. A few years ago I tried a Sebenza and Umnumzaan, but they didn’t stay in my collection long. So, I was excited to get the chance to carry and use a Chris Reeve knife for review, and also just to have one in my collection.
The Inkosi is a newer model introduced in 2016 to replace the Sebenza 25. It has a mix of features from the Sebenza 25 and Umnumzaan. One of the features I really enjoy is the ceramic ball bearing lock interface. The addition of a press-fit ceramic ball to the lock bar, which also functions as the detent, makes the likelihood of lock stick much lower and also slows the wear on the lock face. It also has a canted clip, which makes for better ergonomics than the earlier Sebenza models. It has a floating pivot pin, which makes for simpler reassembly and better wear under heavy use. One thing that the Inkosi lacks, compared to the Sebenza models, is the bushing pivot. A bushing pivot allows the pivot to be tightened fully down while maintaining smooth opening and closing, eliminating the need for adjustment. I have to say, I wish the Inkosi included the bushing pivot, as it’s one of the features of the Sebenza that many point to when giving reasons for its quality. Finally, the Inkosi is said to have a thicker blade and pivot, for a sturdier feel. Overall I like the mix of features on the Inkosi, though I do wish it had the bushing pivot.
The high quality of manufacture on the Inkosi is no surprise, but I am surprised at how much I like the design. The knife is superbly made. It locks up with the bank vault solid feel that Chris Reeve knives have come to be known for, with smooth opening and good blade centering. It’s not drop shut frictionless smooth, but rather a kind of silky smooth that has a satisfying feel. The blade locks with an assuring “thwock” sound. I find the clip to work really well, sliding into and out of the pocket easily. I have an aversion to things held on only by glue (like unpinned shields on traditional knives), so I wasn’t sure about the inlays, but I actually like how they feel in the hand. I enjoy the look also, but I do think I like the simple clean look of the plain titanium version. I expected to dislike the finger grooves, as such handles designs often don’t fit my wide hands. However, I actually really like how this handle feels in my hand. I like it better than I recall liking the handle of the Sebenza 21 or Umnumzaan I had a few years back. I’ve carried this knife a lot, and every time I used it the grip felt intuitive and locked my hand into place. The cone-shaped thumb stud takes a little getting used to, if you’re familiar with the typical thumb stud, but works well when pushed in a C shape. The blade shape is near perfection; a classic drop point with a nicely rounded spine (which adds a surprisingly significant feel of luxury), a good amount of straight edge and belly, a useful but strong tip, and a nice thing hollow grind. It’s an extremely well-made knife with a design worth the stellar reputation.
Inkosi is a Zulu word that means “chief” or “king”, and I think that is a fitting moniker considering the history, and price, that this knife commands. It is an extremely strong feeling knife with the extra thick titanium frame lock, blade, and pivot. It also is imbued with Chris Reeve Knives’ history of innovation, excellence, and great warranty service. It certainly has kingly materials, with high-quality titanium handles and the s35vn steel blade. All that said, I find its dealer price of $550 to be more than I am willing to pay. Everyone has a different point at which the value to price ratio tips, and wherever that is for me the Inkosi falls above that point. Certainly I recognize that they might not be as complete a package, but I think there are plenty of knives at a lower price point with similar materials, features, and quality to the Inkosi. That is not to say that the Inkosi, or other Chris Reeve Knives models, isn’t an extremely good knife that isn’t worth having. Rather, I do believe that every knife enthusiast should try a Chris Reeve knife at some point… if it fits into your budget. For me, that means that when I am able to find one on the secondary market at a price that works for me, I jump at the chance to have such a high quality and prestigious knife in my pocket, even if I wouldn’t buy it at the dealer price.
I wouldn’t buy that piece of garbage for any price. I use only quality obsidian blades!